Rio Olympic Committee apologizes for catcalls during matches

Chief spokesperson of the Rio Olympic Committee, Mario Andrada, expressed the committee's regret over audience catcalls, especially when so persistent as to affect athletes' performances.

With more than half the matches at the Rio Games finished, some events are now advancing to their final sets. The Brazilian women's soccer and volleyball teams played yesterday, and both were ultimately knocked out of the competition. During the matches, their opponents were consistently jeered and catcalled by spectators.

For this, Andrada offered an apology to the athletes: "As an organizing committee, and as a citizen of Brazil and a sports fan, we don't think booing is the right attitude." Andrada also said that the Olympic Committee has broadcast a Portuguese notice addressed to local audiences, reminding them how to cheer for the athletes in an appropriate, respectful way.

"We plan to intensify our dialogue with the Brazilian fans through social networks to make sure that they behave as fans in the proper and elegant manner without losing the passion for sport," Andrada added.